French officials launched the commando operation after insect experts warned that as many as six billion mosquito larvae had started hatching in swampland near the France-Belgium border – less than 100 miles from the south coast of England. Unusually warm, damp weather has brought on the mass hatching.

Experts are particularly concerned about the potential arrival of the ASIAN TIGER MOSQUITO – a striped monster almost twice the size of the average mosquito, and which can carry the chikungunya fever, which has already infected people in northern Italy.

Corn coated with bacteria that is harmless to man but lethal to mosquitoes was sprinkled over the area this week. A local authority spokesman said the operation had been successful but had not eradicated the insects. "We need to remain vigilant to avoid an new outbreak," he said.

It is part of the ritual of European Union summits for the leaders of the 27 member states to pat themselves firmly on the back. Each one then explains how proud he or she is of what they were able to achieve for their country. Friday proved to be no exception, with Chancellor Angela Merkel stating that the planned European financial regulations watch dog had been designed in a way that pleased Germany. She said that there had been "considerable movement" on the part of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who has been perceived as a sort of defense attorney for London's bankers.

But Merkel's assessment of the agreement with Ireland over a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was noticeably reserved. In such events, Merkel is usually known for using terms like "historic," but on Friday she spoke of a "further hurdle" being cleared, "no more and no less."

Nevertheless, the compromise is the most important decision taken this year in European policy because it means that, after years of painstaking negotiations, A BREAKTHROUGH FOR A NEW EU MAY BE JUST AROUND THE CORNER. IT IS NOW LIKELY THAT THE LISBON TREATY WILL GO INTO EFFECT BY THE END OF THE YEAR. Then the EU would get a president, a foreign minister and the role of the European Parliament would be strengthened considerably.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday that the US is concerned that PYONGYANG MIGHT SOON FIRE A MISSILE TOWARD HAWAII. Some senior US officials expect a North Korean test by midsummer, even though most don't believe the missile would be capable of crossing the Pacific and reaching Hawaii.

Mr. Gates told reporters that the US is positioning a sophisticated floating radar array in the ocean around Hawaii to track an incoming missile. The US is also deploying missile-defense weapons to Hawaii that would theoretically be capable of shooting down a North Korean missile, should such an order be given, he said. "We do have some concerns if they were to launch a missile... in the direction of Hawaii," Mr. Gates said. "We are in a good position, should it become necessary, to protect American territory."

The US moves come as strains intensify between the US and North Korea. Earlier this year, Pyongyang test-fired a missile that flew over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean. On May 25, Pyongyang detonated a nuclear device at a test site near its border with China, drawing rare rebukes from Moscow and Beijing.

Persistently HIGH FOOD PRICES HAVE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE HUNGER CRISIS. The director general of the FAO said the level of hunger, one-sixth of the world's population, POSED A "SERIOUS RISK" TO WORLD PEACE AND SECURITY. The UN said almost all of the world's undernourished live in developing countries, with the most, some 642 million people, living in the Asia-Pacific region.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the next worst-hit region, the figure stands at 265 million. Just 15 million people are left hungry in the developed world. "The silent hunger crisis - affecting one-sixth of all of humanity - poses a serious risk for world peace and security," said Jacques Diouf. "We urgently need to forge a broad consensus on the total and rapid eradication of hunger in the world and to take the necessary actions."

The increase in the number of hungry people was blamed on lower incomes and increased unemployment, which in turn reduced access to food by the poor, the UN agency said. But it contrasted sharply with evidence that much of the developed world is richer than ever before. "IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN HUMAN HISTORY THAT WE HAVE SO MANY HUNGRY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD," said FAO spokesman Kostas Stamoulis, director of the organisation's development department. "And that's a contradiction, because a lot of the world is very rich despite the economic crisis."

Sources said today that workers at up to 17 power station and other construction sites across the UK were set to take sympathy action after the sackings. WILDCAT STRIKES HAD ALREADY SPREAD TO SEVERAL POWER STATIONS AND OTHER TERMINALS.

Contract workers at the Staythorpe power station in Nottinghamshire and Ferrybridge power station in Yorkshire walked out early today after hearing the news, according to reports. One of the sacked Lindsey workers said: 'THERE IS A SERIOUS POSSIBILITY THAT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT BECAUSE OF THIS. We just cannot stand by and see workers discarded like an oily cloth.

A teacher said one school ordered adults and children to WEAR GOGGLES WHEN USING BLU-TACK. Another told how a school banned them from using spray foam when marking out spaces in case a child slips and "drowns" in it. And at one primary school, A THREE-LEGGED RACE WAS DROPPED FROM SPORTS DAY BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS.

The disclosures are made in a survey of almost 600 school staff by Teachers' TV. Almost half of those polled said health and safety rules were now "too restrictive", negatively impacting on pupils' education. More than four-in-10 said school trips had been toned down or cancelled because of safety concerns. It follows conclusions in a Government-funded report last year that "perceived health and safety regulations were felt to have systematically undermined communities and the quality of their children's education".

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: "Pupils should have the opportunity to experience controlled adventure and take risks. It is a vital part of a child's education and personal development. Any concerns that arise with regard to health and safety issues, including child safety, should be covered by appropriate in-service training."

The millionaire couple revealed today that a surrogate mother is carrying a fourth child for them, with the possibility of another twin birth. Barrie, 40, said: "I am really looking forward to Father's Day this year. We had the pregnancy confirmed last night and we are going to find out tomorrow whether it's a singleton or whether it's a twin pregnancy. We know we are pregnant but we don't know how many yet. The baby is due on Valentine's Day, we didn't plan it but it is absolutely fantastic."

Tony, 43, who has battled with throat cancer, added: "It's still early days. I'm a great believer in watch this space, take every day as it comes but it's positive news so far." The controversial twosome, who tied the knot at a lavish civil ceremony at Hylands House in Chelmsford, Essex, in 2006, hit the headlines when they became the first gay couple to both be named on a child's birth certificate.

They made millions when they sold their clinical research company in 1998 and said they received death threats after becoming parents to twins Aspen and Saffron nine years ago. The pair used the same egg donor for their next child Orlando but have been forced to find a new donor for their latest surrogacy due to age restrictions.

A CSE report in 2003 resulted in Pepsi and Coca-Cola strenuously rejecting claims that their drinks were unsafe. Soft drinks manufacturers have condemned the latest findings. "Soft drinks are completely safe," the Indian Soft Drink Manufacturers Association (ISDMA) said in a statement on Wednesday. "The soft drinks manufactured in India comply with stringent international norms and all applicable national regulations."

CSE Director Sunita Narain told journalists in Delhi that samples from 12 states showed that Pepsi products contained 30 times more pesticides than found in 2003. Likewise she said that COKE SAMPLES HAD 25 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF PESTICIDES FOUND THREE YEARS AGO. She alleged that despite the public outcry over the issue following the first report, the government has failed to set up the necessary quality-control standards for the soft drinks industry. India does not have any purity standards for soft drinks.

They claim an agreement not to axe any jobs had been broken. Total, which owns the plant, said no such agreement was in place. Managers had asked staff to return to work, but late on Thursday confirmed "with regret" hundreds had been sacked. A group have gathered outside the main gates of the Lindsey refinery, waving placards in protest.

A Unite spokesman said: "We are extremely concerned about the ramifications of the employers' actions. We are urging all parties to get back around the negotiating table to resolve this situation." GMB general secretary Paul Kenney backed the call, saying: "Total have not tried to resolve this dispute, they sought to escalate it and they have sought to victimise people. I'm appealing to Total to actually come to the table and help the unions resolve it."

One of the sacked Lindsey workers told the Press Association: "We are asking for support from workers across the country which I am sure will be given. TOTAL WILL SOON REALISE THEY HAVE UNLEASHED A MONSTER. It is disgraceful that this has happened without any consultation. It is also unlawful and it makes me feel sick."

Hilaire Purbrick, 45, has inhabited the seven-foot cave he dug on his plot and dined off the land for the past 16 years. But after having the dwelling checked by the fire brigade, Brighton and Hove City Council decided IT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH EXITS and sought an injunction banning him from entering it.

Mr Purbrick ignored the order and continued to live in the cave, but was pulled back into court on Tuesday when a judge granted the council a possession order which will allow him to be formally evicted and banned indefinitely from the site.

MR PURBRICK NOW PLANS TO TAKE HIS FIGHT TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, claiming his right to a private life and freedom has been breached by the order. "I am still living there and intend to continue to do so," he said. "I know lots of people in this town who live in houses with only one door with no fire exit."

Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, made legal history on Thursday by allowing the trial of the four men, ALLEGED TO HAVE STOLEN £1.7 MILLION, to be heard solely by a judge. The case relating to the February 2004 armed hold-up of a Heathrow depot HAS ALREADY COST TAXPAYERS £24 MILLION and has been beset by problems with trials collapsing on three previous occasions .

A fourth trial will now go ahead without a jury, using new powers brought in by legislation six years ago. It will be the first time since a court and jury system was formally established in England and Wales. Lord Judge, sitting in the Court of Appeal on Thursday, gave the go ahead despite accepting trial by jury is a "hallowed principle" of the administration of criminal justice.

Civil rights campaigners warned the ruling set a "DANGEROUS PRECEDENT". Prosecutors have so far failed to secure any convictions against those suspected of carrying out the 2004 heist, over the course of three Old Bailey trials. Isabella Sankey, director of policy at Liberty, commented on the ruling: "This is a dangerous precedent. What signal do we send to witnesses if the police can't even protect juries?" A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "This case shows that defendants who abuse their right to jury trial by embarking on jury tampering will not succeed in defeating justice."

The sources said the leaders reached agreement at a summit in Brussels, one day after US President Barack Obama unveiled what he called the most sweeping reform of US financial supervision since the 1930s. "There is deal in principle on the supervision deal," said a source in the EU presidency, which is held by the Czech Republic until the end of this month.

The EU proposals involve creating three pan-European watchdogs next year to ensure countries introduce new rules on supervision, and a new European Systemic Risk Board that would monitor the build-up of risks to stability. It was not immediately clear whether other EU leaders had addressed British concerns over some aspects of the reforms.

London wants to ensure its national regulator keeps its power to steer the financial services sector, which is crucial to Britain's economy, and opposes plans for the European Central Bank to run the European Systemic Risk Board permanently. Signalling that London could give ground on the ECB role if it won assurances on the national regulator's powers, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said before the summit: "I think the principles matter more than the individuals."

Iran's most influential body has said it is investigating 646 complaints from the three defeated candidates. THEY SAY THERE WAS WIDESPREAD FRAUD IN THE 12 JUNE POLL which re-elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with almost two-thirds of the vote. The Guardian Council has invited the three challengers to talks on Saturday.

Mr Mousavi had called supporters to take to the streets wearing black in memory of those shot by members of the pro-government Basij volunteer militia on Monday. The protesters heeded the call, waving black banners and holding aloft placards asking, "Why did you kill our brothers?" Some banners carried pictures of the dead.

The opposition leader attended the rally, wearing a black shirt and suit. He addressed the crowds through a loudspeaker, with loud chants of support breaking the general silence. Press TV, the English-language version of Iranian state television, reported that the address was brief and that Mr Mousavi called for calm and restraint.

"WE SUPPORT COMPASSION EVEN FOR THE MOST CURIOUS, SMALLEST AND LEAST SYMPATHETIC ANIMALS," PETA spokesman Bruce Friedrich said Wednesday. "We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals." During an interview for CNBC at the White House on Tuesday, a fly intruded on Obama's conversation with correspondent John Harwood.

"Get out of here," the president told the pesky insect. When it didn't, he waited for the fly to settle, put his hand up and then smacked it dead. "Now, where were we?" Obama asked Harwood. Then he added: "That was pretty impressive, wasn't it? I got the sucker."

The agency's monitoring of domestic e-mail messages, in particular, has posed longstanding legal and logistical difficulties, the officials said. Since April, when it was disclosed that the intercepts of SOME PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS OF AMERICANS WENT BEYOND LEGAL LIMITS in late 2008 and early 2009, several Congressional committees have been investigating. Those inquiries have led to concerns in Congress about the agency's ability to collect and read domestic e-mail messages of Americans on a widespread basis, officials said.

Supporting that conclusion is the account of a former NSA analyst who, in a series of interviews, described being trained in 2005 for a program in which THE AGENCY ROUTINELY EXAMINED LARGE VOLUMES OF AMERICANS' E-MAIL MESSAGES WITHOUT COURT WARRANTS. Two intelligence officials confirmed that the program was still in operation. Both the former analyst's account and the rising concern among some members of Congress about the NSA's recent operation are raising fresh questions about the spy agency.

Representative Rush Holt, Democrat of New Jersey and chairman of the House Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, has been investigating the incidents and said he had become increasingly troubled by the agency's handling of domestic communications. In an interview, Mr. Holt disputed assertions by Justice Department and national security officials that the overcollection was inadvertent. "SOME ACTIONS ARE SO FLAGRANT THAT THEY CAN'T BE ACCIDENTAL," Mr. Holt said.